BUSINESSES in Llangollen yesterday claimed they had not taken a single cent since the town was declared a dollar-zone for the International Eisteddfod.

But they denied the scheme was a failure.

Llangollen is the first town in the UK to declare the American currency legal tender.

The move follows last year's successful euro-zone which gained international media attention.

The European currency is also being accepted during the International Eisteddfod for the second year running.

Local businesses yesterday insisted, despite the dollar drought, the scheme was a success.

And they said it was not about the currency being spent but the welcoming message it sent out to visitors.

Special Thoughts cards and gift shop partner, Vida Hardy, said Amercians usually paid by credit card.

"We have taken no dollars so far. The majority pay by credit cards, they never use dollars," she said.

"But is is a brilliant idea. It has provided excellent publicity for the festival and it is all about welcoming people here. It is not about how much we are taking."

As we spoke, a couple came in paying for gifts, spending just over four euros.

Vida said it was the first euros the business had taken this year.

Bill Smith, who works at Cottage Cards and Crafts, said: "We haven't had dollars yet but we think the scheme is an excellent idea.

"People are pleased that the effort has been made for them. When they come they can spend dollars and euros.

"Last year was a great success. To be honest the majority of people who come over here have already changed their money into sterling.

"But it is all part of the welcome." A shop assistant at Bits'n'Bobs also said they had not had anybody paying in dollars.

"There are very few people who come here that haven't got sterling. The majority pay by sterling but there were a couple of Italians who paid in euros.

"It is a great idea and part and parcel of the welcome."

Organisers say the success of the scheme is not in the amount of dollars and euros taken by businesses, but the publicity it has afforded Llangollen and the festival, and the welcome it gives tourists.

This year Eisteddfod chief executive Gwyn Williams said the theme running through the festival was new world music. The dollar scheme backed this theme up he said.

Last year a small amount of euros were taken by local businesses.

Some claimed it was a way of securing the euro by the back door which was denied by Eisteddfod chiefs and Martyn Jones MP who masterminded the scheme.

But there is no doubt it attracted world-wide attention - in turn raising the festival's profile.

Organiser s are considering accepting other currencies in future years to extend its global appeal.

Nigel Davies, International Eisteddfod spokesman, said: "The International Musical Eisteddfod is keen to ensure that such initiatives continue in Llangollen for the history of the event as a part of the global feel of the job.

"There is no reason why we should not look at accepting other currencies in the future as we have well over 40 countries who come here.

"Why shouldn' t we look at accepting the Japanese Yen or the Russian Rouble.

"The intentions are not political, how can they be? If we are the only place in the UK that is taking the dollar, where is the political gain in that?

"If people do believe it is a political move, it is still achieving what it set out to do and that is to raise awarenes s and focus on the International Eisteddfod this week."